Peach tree named &#39;PBRO16168&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white peach tree denominated ‘PBRO16168’ is resistant to main pests and diseases, and has a low chill requirement, fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around the cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of red to purple red blush on skin surface, on a luminous red background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2017/3049 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘PBRO16168’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitepeach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘PBRO16168’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, clingstone white flesh fruits with a red pigmentationaround the stone cavity, for fresh market in August in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘PBRO16168’ white peach tree originated from a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘PBRO16168’ from an open pollination of the white peach tree varietynamed ‘SWEETSTAR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,145), which was used as theseed parent. Thus, the pollen parent remains unknown.

The ‘PBRO16168’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘PBRO16168’ white peach tree bloomsgenerally during March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,France. More particularly, the beginning of the blooming period occursgenerally between March 10^(th) and March 24^(th). The blooming periodis considered medium. However, it was observed that its early date ofblooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘PBRO16168’ ripens generally end of July or duringthe first two weeks of August. More particularly, the beginning of theripening period occurs between July 24^(th) and August 14^(th). However,it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highlydependent on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a typical specimen of a tree ofthe new variety ‘PBRO16168’ in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of a branch of thenew variety ‘PBRO16168’ in orchard bearing fruits at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides ofleaves and three typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut inhalf with the stone being left in one of the halves for depictingleaves, fruit flesh, the stone and the stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing one whole fruit at ripening timeand one fruit having been cut in a half, with the stone in its cavity.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of thenew variety and the kernel of the stone.

The enclosed photographs show plants in their third growing season fortrees and flowers and plants in their second growing season for leaves,fruits and stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers,stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘PBRO16168’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-flared out aspect. The time of beginning of flowering is consideredmedium; flowering begins approximately in the middle or at the end ofMarch. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size.Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Thefruit flesh is white generally with a red pigmentation into the stonecavity and around the stone cavity, in a radiating shape. The fruit skinis medium thick, with a luminous and homogenous red to purple red blushon a luminous red background. The stone is semi clingstone and his sizeis medium for the variety. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic andwith a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘SWEETSTAR’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,145), which isthe seed parent of the new variety, the fruits of ‘PBRO16168’ varietyripen usually earlier from 5 days to 3 weeks according to years.Moreover, the new variety ‘PBRO16168’ is less sensitive, almostresistant, to disease such as powdery mildew. The two varieties‘PBRO16168’ and ‘SWEETSTAR’ are similar in terms of size, fruit shapeand fruit skin color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white peach tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) fortrees, trunk and flowers, excepted on trees in their second growingseason (first year of production) for leaves, fruits and stones. Thecharacteristics were observed under the ecological conditions prevailingat the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. All observations have been done on rootstockcultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major colorcode designations are by reference to The R.H.S. (Royal HorticulturalSociety) Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—.        -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year            was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during            each following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The            tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm including current season            shoots length. The tree size is consistently reducing to 250            cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning should be reduced or very reduced because of            the capacity of the tree to produce homogeneous fruits with            a high potential.        -   Form.—The ‘PBRO16168’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling            requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 350 hours and            1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,            namely 1076 hours in 2012-2013, 767 hours in 2013-2014, 552            hours in 2014-2015, 721 hours in 2015-2016, and 784 hours in            2016-2017 showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases.            No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as            −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very            resistant to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 66.0 to 78.0 centimeters in diameter            when measured at approximately 20 centimeters above the soil            level during the 3^(rd) growing season.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range            in size from approximately 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters in width,            and about 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a light orange color (RHS            Greyed Orange 165 B to RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown color (RHS Greyed            Orange 165 A) slightly darker than the lenticel color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter of about 4.0 to 6.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of about            8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth for current season shoots and rough,            with lenticels, for mature branches. Wood which is several            years old has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally of 60 degrees from the            horizontal axis for current season shoots and for mature            branches. This particular characteristic is not considered            distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Current season shoots.—.        -   Internode length.—Generally between 19.0 and 25.0            millimeters.        -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered light green            (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips,            whereas the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS            Greyed Purple 183 A), depending on the level on the tip.        -   Mature branches.—.        -   Internode length.—Generally between 36.0 and 42.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).        -   Lenticels.—Numerous small lenticels are present on mature            branches. The number of lenticels reaches 5 lenticels per            cm². The lenticels range in size approximately 0.5 to 1.0            millimeter in width, and about 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters in            height.        -   Lenticel shape.—Round stretched.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed            Orange 164 C to RHS Greyed Orange 164 D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 185.0 millimeters with leaf            petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.5 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.        -   Leaf color.—.        -   Upper leaf surface.—Darker green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to            RHS Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Both surfaces of the leaves are smooth and            glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.        -   Mid-vein.—.        -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green 145            C to RHS Yellow Green 145 D). The color may evolve with            maturity.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.7 millimeters.        -   Lateral veins.—.        -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 C to RHS Yellow Green 145 D).        -   Leaf margins.—.        -   Form.—Considered crenate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—.        -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Shape.—Ribbed.        -   Length.—About 13.0 to about 15.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.7 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—.        -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS            Yellow Green 144 B).        -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS            Yellow Green 145 B).        -   Leaf glands.—.        -   Size.—Considered small. Their size is about 1.5 millimeters            in length and 1.0 millimeters in width.        -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf, sometimes 3 glands.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf            glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Brown 200 A).        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Position.—The leaf glands are on alternate position on the            upper part of the petiole.        -   Leaf stipules.—.        -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—.        -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic shaped. Their form is evolving until            blooming, with variables dimensions. Just before blooming,            floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters wide            and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters long. The            distribution of the flower buds is considered homogenous on            the trees.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the            bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,            is of purple brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A) on its            outer face. The inner surface of the calyx is considered            orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 22 A). The corolla, formed            by the petals, is generally of light pink color (RHS Red            Purple 62 A to RHS Red Purple 62 B). Petals color shows an            evolution until the end of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins during            March. The first bloom was observed on 2015.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to            other commercial peach cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full            bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full bloom was            observed from Mar. 11 to Mar. 20, 2014, from Mar. 24 until            Mar. 31, 2015, from Mar. 24 until Mar. 31, 2016, and then            from Mar. 10 until Mar. 17, 2017.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower (rosette).        -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom            is approximately 43.0 to 46.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a            high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—.        -   Generally.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Both surfaces of the petals are smooth,            glabrous and soft.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            pink (RHS Red Purple 69 A) color when young, becoming            slightly darker until the end of blooming.        -   Petal arrangement.—Overlapping.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet to moderate.        -   Petal claw.—.        -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,            narrower at the base.        -   Length.—Between 2.0 and 2.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 A) similar to the            petal color.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered moderately wavy,            sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—.        -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—.        -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.0 to 1.5            millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS Yellow Green 144            C).        -   Calyx.—.        -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,            the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is            matt and considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 20 A).            The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).        -   Sepals.—.        -   Sepal count.—Usually five.        -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent            texture.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Form.—Conic with a round tip.        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the upper surface of the            sepals is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed            Purple 187 A). The inner surface of the sepals is considered            greenish (RHS Yellow Green 148 A to RHS Yellow Green 148 B).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 36 to 40            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—.        -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Shape.—Cordate.        -   Color.—Anthers are colored with red color (RHS Orange Red            Group N34 A).        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (RHS Yellow 13 A) which may evolve with maturity. The            present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—.        -   Size.—Medium length, between 15.0 and 19.0 millimeters in            length. Filaments length is generally higher than the            pistil's length, or equal to the pistil's length (considered            without the ovary).        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White 155 D) and becoming pink            (RHS Red Purple 63 C to RHS Red Purple 63 D) during the            blooming.        -   Pistil.—.        -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 19.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the            ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C            to RHS Yellow Green 145 D).        -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a            greenish yellow color (RHS Yellow Green 154 A to RHS Yellow            Green 154 B).        -   Ovary.—Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters in height. The            diameter of the ovary is about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. The            color is considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C).        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm in ripe conditions (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 9, 2015.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘PBRO16168’            variety has a medium to late date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 10 days and            the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on from Aug. 9 to Aug. 15, 2015, then            from Aug. 14 to Aug. 23, 2016 and then from Jul. 24 to Jul.            30, 2017.        -   Size.—.        -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size 2A. Considered large.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to 74.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 63.0 to 68.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 210.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—.        -   Generally.—Round and regular. The fruit is generally, viewed            from the suture's plane.        -   Suture.—.        -   Fruit suture.—Not prominent. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole            fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A            or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).        -   Mucron.—Absent.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, small and generally slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0            to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 15.0 to 18 .0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—.        -   Thickness.—Considered medium thick and strong, and the            adherence of skin to flesh is strong.        -   Pubescence.—Fine, almost non-existent.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Lenticels.—No lenticels.        -   Color.—.        -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous red to purple            red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).            The purple red blush covers approximately 80 to 85% of the            fruit skin surface on a luminous red background (RHS Greyed            Red 179 A) on approximately 15 to 20% of the fruit skin            surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15 to            20% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered a luminous            red (RHS Greyed Red 179 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 9.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—.        -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long            shelf life.        -   Texture.—Dense, firm to vey firm, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic, with a high            level of sugars but semi-sweet due to acidity level between            6 and 9 meq/100 mL.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally equal            to 14.1.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally 14.1 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White 155 A) usually with a            red pigmentation (RHS Red 45 A) into the stone cavity and            around the stone cavity, more or less over 6.0 milimeters.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 to 34.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 25.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Obovate.        -   Base.—Oblique.        -   Apex.—.        -   Shape.—The stone apex is short and pointed.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium in size, with an            obovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—.        -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—.        -   Width.—Considered small, and having a depth of approximately            1.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—.        -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to            RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.        -   Kernel.—.        -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 16.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 10.0 to 11.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel is smooth, without            pubescence.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is light orange-brown colored (RHS            Greyed Orange N 167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the            kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet tasting.            The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘PBRO16168’ is considered to be a            white peach tree of the medium to late season of maturity,            and which produces fruits that are considered firm to very            firm, attractively colored with a luminous red to purple            red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for            uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full            maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to            their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping            at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white peach tree asillustrated and described, characterized by its resistance to main pestsand diseases its fruits with high eating quality and very long shelflife without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweetwhite flesh, with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and aroundthe cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of red topurple red blush on skin surface, on a luminous red background.